Short term effects of rapid maxillary expansion on breathing function assessed with spirometry: A case-control study

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics and Respiratory Physiology
• Craniofacial Development and Pulmonary Function

Background:

• Mouth breathing can negatively impact craniofacial development and respiratory function.
• Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a common orthodontic intervention for maxillary hypoplasia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of RME on breathing function in both mouth and nasal breathers.
• To compare the changes in respiratory parameters between these two groups following RME.

Main Methods:

• 25 mouth breathers and 25 nasal breathers (mean age 15.2-15.3 years) underwent RME.
• Computerized spirometry assessed forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1, Tiffenau index (IT%), FEF 25-75%, and tidal volume (TV).
• Breathing function was measured before RME and at 6 and 12 months post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Initially, significant differences existed between groups in FVC, FEF 25-75%, and TV.
• RME led to significant improvements in all measured indices for mouth breathers.
• Nasal breathers showed significant improvements in FVC, FEF 25-75%, and TV post-RME.

Conclusions:

• Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) positively impacts breathing function in both mouth and nasal breathers.
• Post-treatment, FVC, FEF 25-75%, and TV became comparable between the two groups.
• RME offers a potential therapeutic approach for improving respiratory function in individuals with specific breathing patterns.